Submitted by South Puget Sound Community College Foundation
South Puget Sound Community College (SPSCC) and the SPSCC Foundation celebrate students who move on to build careers in healthcare, government, social services, technology, social services, and many other fields that enrich and sustain the community. Among them are highly skilled graduates who have chosen the Food, Beverage Arts & Hospitality pathway to professions uniquely designed to nourish, inspire, and enrich the experiences of the people and communities they serve.
SPSCC’s Comprehensive Culinary Arts and Baking & Pastry Arts Programs
SPSCC’s Culinary Arts and Baking & Pastry Arts programs equip students with the essential skills to succeed in the field. Through hands-on experience at the student-run Percival Restaurant, they master various aspects of the profession, from intimate dinners to large-scale banquets.
Students master both the technical and leadership skills essential for culinary success through a blend of online theory and on-campus hands-on training, designed to accommodate working students.
Food and Beverage Arts Program Manager Kathryn Walton-Elliott, shared, “What makes these programs unique is how comprehensive they are. Faculty members teach high-level organizational and leadership skills beyond just technical skills. When students can understand the ‘why’ reasoning behind culinary theory and methods, they are better equipped to adapt and apply their technical skills to a wide variety of situations in the field.”
She also explained, “We have deeply dedicated faculty chefs who emphasize collaborative leadership and problem-solving skills. They make space for innovation and value existing student knowledge as well as cultural influences. At the same time, they are teaching industry-standard technical skills using cutting-edge tools, such as a programmable Rational iCombi Pro oven, giving them the confidence and experiences they will need to have the best advantages for employment.”
Program Capstones Create Opportunities for Community Connections
Collaborations between the SPSCC Foundation and SPSCC’s Culinary Arts and Baking & Pastry Arts programs give supporters a first-hand glimpse of the skills students are developing. If you have ever attended a student-made Winter Brunch or enjoyed a seasonal box of cookies or truffles from an SPSCC Bakery Shop pop-up event, you know the joy of sampling student capstone culinary creations from the Culinary Arts and Baking & Pastry Arts programs.
SPSCC Director of Development Christine Hoffmann shared, “We love to share our students’ talents with our community. During the holidays, we gifted student-made cookie boxes to some of our supporters. The cookies, accompanied by each student’s story, added a personal and meaningful touch.”
Wherever possible, the Culinary Program’s staff along with Chef John Patrick Downey-McCarthy and Chef Emily Wallace support the local community by purchasing local ingredients, such as vegetables, spices, and seafood from local community vendors. For special events, they occasionally work with local businesses like The Wine Loft Olympia and Encore Chocolates and Teas. They also maintain ties and work within the local culinary arts community.
Role Models in the Olympia Community
Thanks to a community of faculty, staff, and graduates who continue to make their mark in the culinary arts field, SPSCC students have an abundance of successful role models to motivate and inspire them.
Bittersweet Chocolate, LLC, founded by former SPSCC colleagues Deb Smith and Cindy Uhrich, is a thriving artisan chocolate business in Olympia. With a team that includes SPSCC alumna Kimberlie LeRoy, they create high-quality chocolates, showcasing their passion and expertise. Learn more about their connection to SPSCC and their journey to becoming a successful business in downtown Olympia.
Recent graduate Miriam Padilla is already actively supporting the Olympia community through her work as an Instructor and Children’s Programming Director at the Bayview School of Cooking. She also teaches children’s cooking classes at the Hands On Children’s Museum and is a Sous Chef at The Reef restaurant in downtown Olympia. Learn more about Miriam’s career journey.
Cher Hobbick, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Bite Me Catering, is an SPSCC graduate who, upon completing the Culinary Arts program at SPSCC and receiving her American Culinary Federation (ACF) certification, has followed her passion to build a successful catering business in Olympia. She now uses her talent and creative flair to provide catering support to numerous local organizations in Thurston County, including SPSCC Foundation celebrations like the Leadership Circle Gathering.
Ways to Get Involved
In addition to paying tuition, students need tools, uniforms, and certification fees to prepare for careers. You can support them by visiting SPSCC’s student-run Percival Restaurant, attending capstone events, and donating to support SPSCC’s Culinary Arts and Baking & Pastry Arts scholarships and programs. Contact the SPSCC Foundation office at Foundation@spscc.edu or call 360.596.5430 to learn more.
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